Committee approves water construction bill, including account transfer, cloud-seeding authorization and Alkali Creek update
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Summary
Senate File 70, the annual Water Development construction bill, received a committee do-pass with discussion of a proposed $16 million transfer between accounts, a cloud-seeding authorization with no state dollars, and progress updates on Alkali Creek Reservoir easement negotiations and design.
The Select Water Committee gave a do-pass recommendation on Senate File 70, the Water Development construction bill that packages new construction and rehabilitation projects, proposed account transfers and a few standalone measures including a cloud-seeding authorization.
Jason Mead, director of the Water Development Office, walked the committee through the bill's tabs and fiscal notes. Key provisions discussed included $5.23 million in new Account 1 projects, $22.66 million for rehabilitation construction projects, and a requested transfer of $16,000,000 from Account 1 to Account 2 to address a backlog of older rehabilitation needs. Mead explained that many projects are weighted toward the second year of the biennium because contracts are executed after approval and implementation often occurs in the following fiscal year.
On cloud seeding, Mead said the bill would authorize ground-based cloud-seeding programs (Wind River, Sierra Madre and Colorado River basins) but would not appropriate state funds; the office expects to seek funding from Lower Basin states, the Bureau of Reclamation and local utilities. Senator French and others asked about assurances that outside funders would timely pay their shares; Mead said prior years’ arrangements have worked and he was confident in partner commitments.
Mead also updated the committee on Alkali Creek Reservoir: design is roughly 50–60% complete, and the office is negotiating easements with several landowners. He described an integrated watershed approach and possible mitigation measures (fish passage improvements, ditch piping, livestock-watering considerations). Mead said conversations have been productive and option agreements may follow once details and funding partners are finalized.
The committee took a roll-call vote on Senate File 70; five ayes were recorded and the bill was recommended do-pass. The committee adjourned and noted plans for a follow-up meeting.